The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle has been motoring along for 44 years, and though the domestic cycling scene is under pressure, over €1 million was raised by the cyclists this year
The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle has now raised €23 million for charity since it was created and this year alone over €1 million was raised by the cyclists who took part in the event.
Along with the Wicklow 200 sportive, organised by the IVCA, the Ring of Kerry is perhaps the best known and most established sportive in the country.
This year, a sum of €1,060,133 was raised by the event, which has now been presented to its 12 ‘tier 1’ and ‘tier 2’ charities, along with a number of other organisations.
The event has been running for 44 years, through the many peaks and downturns in Irish cycling during that time, with the riders taking on 170km this year.
Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle PRO, Cathal Walshe, said the huge sum raised again in 2026 “truly shows it is a great charity event”.
“It shows we are able to help the big and the small charities. We are delighted to raise over €1m, that is a great success, especially as the number of participants is not as big,” he said
The 2027 is due to take place in July 3rd, and though the domestic scene is under pressure at present, with lower numbers racing and riding sportives, Walshe is very hopeful of another great event next year.
“If we can keep the numbers we have now, around 4,000, we will be delighted. We made a lot of charities very happy this week and that it is what it is about,” he said.
The main charities receiving funds from the event this year include the Jack and Jill Foundation, Breakthrough Cancer Research, Bru Columbanus, Down Syndrome Kerry, Ballinskelligs Inshore Rescue and Kerry Hospice Foundation.
The secondary tier of organisations funded include: Recovery Haven Cancer Support House, Social Action Group Rathmore, Barnardos, Dillon Quirke Foundation, Enable Ireland Kerry, Cycle Against Suicide and Irish Red Cross Tralee.
A total of 40 organisations received funds this year and the total amount raised since the event began in 1982 has now passed €23 million.